Common NHL CBA Misconceptions

It's one those times during the year where everyone is a major armchair GM. Let's go over No-trade clause, no-movement clause and learn if a one-way or a two-way deal have anything to do with Han Solo always stroking his own Wookie.

No-trade clause is something a lot of people have trouble with (especially if that person is Brian Burke) It's commonly swapped in use with what a No-movement clause actually is.

You don't need to look beyond the Capitals to find an example of each clause in use:
Michael Nylander had a No-movement clause. This means he cannot be waived, assigned to the minors, or traded without his permission.

Alexander Ovechkin has a No-trade clause. This means he cannot be traded without his permission, but consent is not required for him to be placed on waivers so he can be assigned to the minors.

The conditions of those clauses can be tweaked some. For instance, with Ovechkin, starting on July 1, 2014 he will give the Capitals a list of up to 10 clubs that he will not accept a trade to. He can then modify the list every September.
Those types of tweaks can differ from contract to contract but the main thing to remember is the waiver\trade consent requirements.

The above items are defined in Article 11.8 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

View the NHL CBA (PDF)

   (a)        The SPC of any player who is a Group 3 Unrestricted Free Agent under Article 10.1(a) may contain a no-Trade or a no-move clause.  SPCs containing a no-Trade or a no-move clause may be entered into prior to the time that the Player is a Group 3 Unrestricted Free Agent so long as the SPC containing the no-Trade or no-move clause extends through and does not become effective until the time that the player qualifies for Group 3 Unrestricted Free Agency.  If the player is traded or claimed on Waivers prior to the no-Trade or no-move clause taking effect, the clause does not bind the acquiring Club.  An acquiring Club may agree to continue to be bound by the no-Trade or no-move clause, which agreement shall be evidenced in writing to the Player, Central Registry and the NHLPA, in accordance with Exhibit 3 hereof.

(b)        A no-move clause may prevent the involuntary relocation of a player, whether by Trade, Loan or Waiver claim.  A no-move clause, however, may not restrict the Club's buy-out and termination rights as set forth in this Agreement.  Prior to exercising its Ordinary Course Buy-Out rights pursuant to Paragraph 13 of the SPC hereof, the Club shall, in writing in accordance with the notice provisions in Exhibit 3 hereof, provide the Player with the option of electing to be placed on Waivers.  The Player will have twenty-four (24) hours from the time he receives such notice to accept or reject that option at his sole discretion, and shall so inform the Club in writing, in accordance with the notice provisions in Exhibit 3 hereof, within such twenty-four (24) hour period.  If the Player does not timely accept or reject that option, it will be deemed rejected.

Then there are the 1-way and 2-way contracts.
Do not believe what video games have been telling you -- Whether a player has a 1-way or a 2-way contract has nothing to do with if they will have to clear waivers. It has nothing to do with their waiver status at all.

1-way and 2-way contracts deal with the salary the player will earn based on if they are in the NHL or the minors. 1-way contracts mean they will be getting the same pay regardless of where they are and a 2-way contract means a modified salary will take effect.

So what effects waiver status? A lot of things come into play there...This is a great article that has some good examples.

If you still have the NHL CBA open you can read all about waivers and loans in "ARTICLE 13." (View the NHL CBA (PDF)